Apple announced two new iPhone models at its media event on Tuesday and AppleInsider was on the scene for first hand look at the devices set to roll out on Sept. 20.

iPhone 5s

The iPhone 5s' aesthetic remains largely unchanged from last year's iPhone 5, with only minor design tweaks coming by way of new functionality like the Touch ID fingerprint sensor and dual-LED flash.

Dimensions are identical to the outgoing flagship handset, though we were once again surprised by the device's heft, or more specifically lack thereof. While light in the hand, the structure is just as solid as the iPhone 5, with similar button and switch feel.

As for the integrated fingerprint sensor, dubbed Touch ID, the module isn't obtrusive and blends in nicely with the iPhone's sleek lines. The home button's familiar square icon is gone, replaced by a blank sapphire covering that is encircled by a stainless steel ring used to detect finger contact. AppleInsider's predictions as to the importance of the metal ring, made last week, were confirmed with today's announcement.

The home button is almost flush with the unit's faceplate, though the steel ring is slightly beveled, possibly to protect the sapphire cover from being scratched.

Apple introduced two new colors with the 5s. The much rumored gold hue is actually more subtle than in person and at some angles can be mistaken for silver, as seen above. A new "Space Gray" version takes the place of "Slate and Black," offering a shade closer to gunmetal than jet black. The silver color option is unchanged from last year.

iPhone 5c

Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the event was the addition of a completely new tier to the iPhone lineup in the iPhone 5c.

Although it boasts a shell made of polycarbonate, the 5c felt extremely solid and substantial in our hands; it didn't feel "cheap" or "plasticky" as some feared. The casing is shiny, as can be seen from the pictures, but not overly polished like some other handsets on the market.

Coloring is vivid and serves as a nice contrast with Apple's iPhone 5c cases, which will be sold in a variety of complementary colors for $29. We noticed that the silicon cases had more of a matte finish compared to the 5c's shell. Inside the optional case is a microfiber cloth lining to protect the shiny finish from scratches.

Preorders for the iPhone 5c will commence on Sept. 13, while the iPhone 5s will be available to purchase on Sept. 20.

'it didn't feel "cheap" or "plasticky"' no i would hope not as it isn't cheap by any means.
This is the most disappointing release has made in a very long time IMO. They seem to have completely missed the point of "affordable".
They needed to make a phone for half the price of the current iphone, not 10% less... gives a sheet.

'it didn't feel "cheap" or "plasticky"' no i would hope not as it isn't cheap by any means.
This is the most disappointing release has made in a very long time IMO. They seem to have completely missed the point of "affordable".
They needed to make a phone for half the price of the current iphone, not 10% less... gives a sheet.

Who is this phone targeting, and who wouldn't spend $100 more to get the premium model, with faster processor, Touch ID, better camera etc.?

I happen to think that the 5C looks decent, for a plastic phone, I just think that Apple now has introduced a new model of iPhone that is priced almost the same as the premium model. $100 difference is nothing.

No good smartphone are cheap, these devices are expensive. Get over it.

A person who would be buying a 5C would be more likely to buy an S3 or something, not an S4 because at those prices, just buy the higher end version.

The only way I can see things different is possibly Apple having a new agreement with carriers regarding subsidies maybe?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apple ][

Who is this phone targeting, and who wouldn't spend $100 more to get the premium model, with faster processor, Touch ID, better camera etc.?

I happen to think that the 5C looks decent, for a plastic phone, I just think that Apple now has introduced a new model of iPhone that is priced almost the same as the premium model. $100 difference is nothing.

I was debating the plastic 5c, but I like the fingerprint ID and the added sensors and faster processors, camera upgrade. I think I would regret buying the 5c over the 5s and be left behind on future features that depend on them. So Space Gray 5s for me.

My question about the case, if you watched the video...Mr. Ive took an awful lot of time and smugness to describe how wonderful this new chassis design is...how great is feels in your hand, how durable and high quality it is....blah, blah, blah. Oh, yeah, lets hide all that with these fugly looking cases. Not to mention they missed that the back whole partially cover the "iPhone" moniker and the testing labels. Bad design detail. why didn't they just hide a couple hole so we didn't see the "...hon." peeking through the holes??? Not to mention that the silicone back will make it about 1" into your pocket before getting stuck...and the holes will capture just about every scrap on lint in your pocket, and get trapped between the case and the chassis.

Who is this phone targeting, and who wouldn't spend $100 more to get the premium model, with faster processor, Touch ID, better camera etc.?

I happen to think that the 5C looks decent, for a plastic phone, I just think that Apple now has introduced a new model of iPhone that is priced almost the same as the premium model. $100 difference is nothing.

I think that is EXACTLY what Apple is hoping you'd say. However, considering they are not taking pre-orders on the 5S, this logic of Apple's makes no sense. There was a study about the Chinese market and what the "Sweet Spot" is for pricing. It was around $487. So naturally Apple decided their device is worth more profit than that.

No good smartphone are cheap, these devices are expensive. Get over it.

I agree. The haters are out in full force spewing their typical propaganda nonsense and trying to seed their usual lies. The phones are solid updates. I'm curious how the 5C will be accepted. I think they will sell very well. I'm very impressed with the tech they put into the 5S. I love my iP5 but that fingerprint sensor, nicer camera, and the A7 chip is tempting. I'll wait for the iP6 though for now.

Good job on your flagship phone Apple. It's sell well, and the iHaters, Fandroids, and typical basement dwellers will still continue to whine like they do at every product launch.

I think that is EXACTLY what Apple is hoping you'd say. However, considering they are not taking pre-orders on the 5S, this logic of Apple's makes no sense. There was a study about the Chinese market and what the "Sweet Spot" is for pricing. It was around $487. So naturally Apple decided their device is worth more profit than that.

I don't know exactly what Apple is thinking either, or what their plan is, because the 5c costs $733.33 in China, hardly a budget phone. And if there are rich Chinese people who lust for Apple, why not just get the 5s. If somebody can afford the 5c, they can afford the 5s.

Yeah, Apple "copied" "Samsung's" burst mode, even though cameras have had burst mode for the past 20 years.

The only thing that's "wow" is your comment. There's a good chance Samsung will throw in some software features in their phones before Apple, because we've seen that Samsung throws all the shit at the wall it possibly can, without caring too much about implementation. I'm glad iPhones now have a burst mode, its a useful addition to the camera, and I couldn't care less if another random phone has the feature, much less Samsung phones. Should Apple pre-empt Samsung and throw every single fucking software gimmick it can in this years phones, to make sure they "beat" Samsung? What a horrible mentality.

What a disaster. Who exactly are they targeting with a phone just $100 cheaper than the 5s? The only thing I can think they are doing is trying to get more of the high end market by appealing to kids and other people who might care about a phone's color? The phone is still too expensive to appeal to people shopping for unlocked phones so I'm missing something here. My guess is the main buyers will come at the expense of the 5S because it's not going to make a dent in the low or mid tier market.

What I'm trying to say is that it's kinda funny how Apple implements their own version of "burst mode" after Samsung.

And what everyone else is saying is that burst mode isn't anything new or revolutionary. It's a common feature to cameras in general that's now come to the iPhone. So what if Samsung took a pre-existing feature and implemented it on their phone before Apple.

Now, if you want to talk about actually innovative features that Samsung put in their phones first... Enjoy the Silence.

They also introduced slow mode too which the galaxy S4 does as well. My Nikon does video slow mode too. Its not funny that apple introduced this because it is giving users more benefits which is what apple is all about. They said it a lot of times in the keynote, that they add features that will improve the user experience. Hell if you want to get technical shamesung introduced a full touch screen phone and copied the first iPhones UI after the first iPhone came out.

Who is this phone targeting, and who wouldn't spend $100 more to get the premium model, with faster processor, Touch ID, better camera etc.?

I happen to think that the 5C looks decent, for a plastic phone, I just think that Apple now has introduced a new model of iPhone that is priced almost the same as the premium model. $100 difference is nothing.

And what I think is the average consumer thinks in the exact opposite way -> "who in the world would spend double the price on the same phone except someone who has more money than sense, more pretensions than humility?" Save the $100 and get the same phone, spend it on a larger display for better reality TV show viewing and enjoyment.

So Apple put together an iPhone 5c that is essentially the 5 with new packaging and priced it using the same model Apple's been using with the launch of each new phone (making the previous model $100 cheaper).

And what everyone else is saying is that burst mode isn't anything new or revolutionary. It's a common feature to cameras in general that's now come to the iPhone. So what if Samsung took a pre-existing feature and implemented it on their phone before Apple.

Now, if you want to talk about actually innovative features that Samsung put in their phones first... Enjoy the Silence.

Wait what? The 5c is $733 in China? Why would they charge almost $200 more for it in China than in the US?

Something is wrong here for sure.

Take a look for yourself at the Chinese Apple store. It says that it costs RMB 4488 for the 16 gb iPhone 5c. And I believe that's without VAT, which looks to be an additional RMB 652, which comes out to approximately $840.

Only thing Apple's good at is designing things(Does damn good job at it too). However, Apple is completely dependent on other companies to produce and manufacture their products, which can lead backlash against them in the future(Ex: Samsung)